“Jason, Matt, Monica, Josh, Kelly…” I walked down the rows of students naming them one by one. It was only the third day of class, but I knew them all by name.
It wasn’t my first year of teaching, but it was my first time teaching high school English. I was determined to make a connection with these teenagers. Six classes of twenty each equaled one hundred twenty names to learn. I didn’t use a seating chart. The only request I made was for them to occupy the same seat for the first three days.
They were amazed at my accomplishment. However, when I was sincerely concerned when they were absent, they realized it was more than just knowing their name. They knew I cared. No one was nameless. No one was anonymous.
Names are everywhere. You can’t leave the hospital without a name for your baby. Even buildings have people’s names on them. Companies vie for the naming rights to sports venues.
Many people are determined to make a name for themselves. What they really want is their name to be recognized, applauded. They want to be put on a pedestal. To be anonymous would be their worst fate.
Our Lord is all about names. Nothing is nameless. No one is anonymous. He even named the stars and planets and galaxies, the ones past, present, and future (Isaiah 40:26). He didn’t just tell us to go out and baptize people. He gave us specific names to use: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).
On the other hand, some of the most recognizable people in the Bible are nameless. Yet they were important to our Lord Jesus: The woman at the well (John 4); the widow at Nain (Luke 7:11-15); the woman with two coins (Mark 12:42-43); the Samaritan woman who touched His cloak and was healed (Mark 5: 25-34); the centurion at the cross (Matthew 27:54); the centurion’s servant who was healed (Matthew 8:5-13); Peter’s mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14-15); Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8: 41-42, 49-56). I’m sure we will meet them in heaven and finally put a name to their story.
Our Lord Jesus was not physically remarkable. He had no outstanding or unusual features. There was nothing majestic in His appearance that we would be attracted to Him (Isaiah 53:2b). He was nondescript, anonymous.
But once He began His ministry, people knew His name. He certainly made a name for Himself when He became the sacrifice for our sins on that cross. His name has power to save us (Acts 2:21). His Name is above all other names in its power and might (Philippians 2:9-10). And He wants everyone to know who He is and what He has done.
How important is it for us to know names? Even in a big organization, a big church, a big company, we should have some idea of who we are leading. It’s a huge challenge to know everyone’s name. However, it isn’t impossible if we make a conscious effort to connect with those we lead.
Knowing their name is one thing. But if we don’t take the time to know who is behind those names, they remain anonymous.
When I allow my Lord Jesus be my mentor, my leadership coach, I accept His challenge to know more about others than just their name. I take the time to know and serve those in my care.
I’m not so worried about making a name for myself, having my name in lights, on buildings, on people’s tongues. The only place I rejoice it’s written (and where I’m sure it’s found) is in the Book of Life (Daniel 12:1; Luke 10:20; Revelation 3:5).
When it comes to being recognized, my Lord Jesus is the only one I care about. As one of His sheep, I know He knows my name (John 10:3).
No matter where I am in this world of over eight billion people, Jesus can pick me out of any crowd. Even though He has a multitude of relationships to foster in His flock, I know He will always have time for me.
He knows my name. He knows me. I am never anonymous.
Christine Vogelsang is a teacher, musician, pastor’s wife, and mother of three adult children. For almost forty years her family enjoyed the love of congregations in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Southern California. She has earned her master’s degree in education, taught at various schools (from kindergarten to college) and served as music director for twenty-five years at their last church.
While writing and speaking about the joy of being God’s child has always been a part of her life, it wasn’t until her weekly inspirational blogs (restoringthejoy.net) gained an international following that Christine decided to publish her first book. She has also written and produced three plays about people and events in the Gospels that bring these ancient stories to life.
Christine and her husband have retired from full time church work; however, her blog ministry continues to grow. She recently completed her Restoring the Joy: Leaving My Guilt at the Cross book series (available through Amazon) and is scheduling more speaking engagements that highlight her spiritual passion: joy without guilt!
